Greyhounds and Cats
Question:
Hi, everybody… Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
Response:
A lot of dogs don’t get along with cats. Your agency that you go through, if they are responsible people, will cat test any greyhound that they get to see if he gets along with them. You’ll get one that does get along with cats just fine. Mine doesn’t, but cats give me allergies so I wouldn’t consider owning one anyways. Not a problem. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi, everybody… >Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
Response:
>Hi, everybody… >Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
Greyhounds and cats can live very peaceably together. I own 3 Greyhounds and have 5 – 7 foster Greyhounds in my home at any given time. Make sure that if you decide to adopt a Greyhound, you get one from a group that "cat tests" each and every dog in their program. Every responsible Greyhound adoption group does this. Sally Hennessey
Response:
: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering : adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound : organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a : strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a : retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. : We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath : the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another. Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice dog. If there are behaviors that need to be worked through, that makes it even harder. I’ve had cats that never adjusted to the dogs. I’ve had cats that took a long time, but eventually came around. I’ve had cats that adored dogs. Motivating the cats to be comfortable around the dogs is one piece. The other is, of course, deciding whether the dog is safe around cats. Any half-way competent Greyhound rescue is not going to adopt a dog that has not been "cat tested" to a family with cats already in residence. Even with a "cat tested" dog, how well it works out will depend at least in part with how skilled you are in handling dogs. I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" dog before it can be a bit overwhelming. Diane Blackman – – – – – – – – "What all trainers need to understand, regardless of allegiance, is that it is not the application of punishment or reward, but the incorrect application of punishment or reinforcement that leads to unhappy dogs and frustrated trainers." "Smart Trainers — Brilliant Dogs" by Janet Lewis
Response:
I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi, everybody… >Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
Response:
>>Something about this whole story sounds odd to me. >You’re not alone.
Not to mention the bit about tornup and dead cats up a *tree*? Maybe just possibly *one* cat could be fatally injured and climb up a tree anyway and not fall out when they died (though it’s a bit of a stretch) but cats, plural? Laura X-Review: http://traveller.simplenet.com/xfiles/episode.htm "Good design is clear thinking made visible." — Edward Tufte
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >: adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >: organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >: strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >: retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >: We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >: the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another. >Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised >with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice >dog. If there are behaviors that need to be worked through, that makes it >even harder. I’ve had cats that never adjusted to the dogs. I’ve had >cats that took a long time, but eventually came around. I’ve had cats that >adored dogs. >Motivating the cats to be comfortable around the dogs is one >piece. The other is, of course, deciding whether the dog is safe around >cats. Any half-way competent Greyhound rescue is not going to adopt a dog >that has not been "cat tested" to a family with cats already in residence. >Even with a "cat tested" dog, how well it works out will depend at least >in part with how skilled you are in handling dogs. >I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly >good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" >dog before it can be a bit overwhelming.
The point is that with many, many Greyhounds, you don’t have to "make it work". I have seen many of these dogs, one of my present dogs included, that have absolutely no interest whatsoever in my cats. Adopting a Greyhound to families with cats is not an experiment, and how well Greyhounds get along with cats does not depend on how skilled the adopter is in handling dogs. Since a high percentage of Greyhound adopters are not experienced dog owners, we must rely on our own expertise to make sure no cats are injured or killed. Responsible Greyhound adoption groups will not place a dog with cats if that dog shows any interest beyond a curious sniff. The dog still goes home with a turn-out muzzle and the adopter is instructed to put the muzzle on the dog when it is loose in the house with the cats until they feel comfortable in taking it off. If the dog shows untoward interest in the adopter’s cat, even if that dog showed no reaction to the "test" cats, the dog is exchanged for another dog. Thousands of ex-racing Greyhounds – - many of them successful racers – - live in harmony with cats. Getting cats that have not lived with dogs to feel comfortable with the dogs is another story altogether, however. Some never do. Sally Hennessey
Response:
>I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and >was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. >She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she >wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the >neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on >something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this >dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could >get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would >jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never >even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the >story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything.
Responsible Greyhound adoption groups do more than "little tests at the spca with a cat near". Responsible groups will tell potential adopters that if they let their cats outside, all bets of safety are off, as most Greyhounds (and other dogs) will chase and kill animals (including cats) in the yard even when they do not chase cats in the house. There is nothing sneaky about a dog killing small animals; it’s their nature. By the way, killing cats and other small animals is not unique to Greyhounds. Many dog breeds have a high prey drive. My female Siberian licks our house cats but has killed (and partially eaten) two strays that ventured into our fenced yard. Of course, none of the Greyhound adoption groups or other rescue groups with which I am familiar would adopt a dog to someone who would leave it outside at night or when they were gone at work. Sally Hennessey
Response:
>>: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >: adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >: organization. <snip> >Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised >with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice >dog. <snip> >I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly >good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" >dog before it can be a bit overwhelming. >The point is that with many, many Greyhounds, you don’t have to "make >it work". <snip> >Sally Hennessey
And the point is that if the dog feels like it, especially a very capable dog such as a greyhound, the dog can tear the cat to pieces before you can get out of your chair. There is a similar discussion that goes on in birds groups about cats and birds, such as parrots. LShaping.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >>: adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >>: organization. <snip> >>Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised >>with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice >>dog. <snip> >>I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly >>good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" >>dog before it can be a bit overwhelming. >The point is that with many, many Greyhounds, you don’t have to "make >it work". <snip> >Sally Hennessey >And the point is that if the dog feels like it, especially a very >capable dog such as a greyhound, the dog can tear the cat to pieces >before you can get out of your chair.
Yes, that’s why we evaluate their temperaments and test them first before placing them in homes with cats. They don’t hide their prey drive, so if they have a desire to tear a cat to pieces, we are going to see that. Sally Hennessey
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and >was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. >She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she >wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the >neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on >something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this >dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could >get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would >jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never >even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the >story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. >1) You adopted a racing greyound out of the local SPCS? That’s unusual. >2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* > all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual.
One might even say almost unheard of. >3) You left her outside at night? Shame on you. >Something about this whole story sounds odd to me.
You’re not alone. Sally Hennessey
Response:
: I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and : was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. : She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she : wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the : neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on : something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this : dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could : get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would : jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never : even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the : story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. Sure they do. The important thing is to understand what such tests can and cannot tell you. They mean the dog will behave with the cat when it is supervised. It demonstrates that the dog has a level of control. That is important. I’ve never decided whether dogs consider the household cat to be the property of the alpha, or some manner of pack member. I suppose it differs from dog to dog. In any case it is not at all unusual to find a dog that is fine with the family cat but a willing killer of outsider cats. Also, simply because a dog treats the cat OK when the humans are present does not mean the cat is safe when the humans are not present. I have five cats and two dogs. One of the two dogs will try to stop any stray cat he finds in the yard. Although he has not yet injured one, I don’t rely on that to believe the cats are safe. I presume that if I do not interfere quickly he will injure and probably kill one. The indoor cats he treats quite differently. Nevertheless I pay attention to the effects of prey drive. Two of the cats never get chased or bothered because they have learned not to run. I don’t worry about leaving them to have free run of the house. Two of the cats like the dogs but will play wrestling games with the dogs. Unsupervised that can stimulate prey drive. I do not leave those two loose when I am not at home. Diane Blackman – – – – – – "the real danger posed by the domestic dog is that its friendship threatens to dissolve or undermine the physchologial barrier that distinguished human from animal." (Elmendorf & Kroeber (1960)) as cited in "The Domestic Dog" ch 16, James Serpell
Response:
Don’t get scared by all these stories. Respect what they say. Use a little common sense, and a little supervision. Work through an adoption group. Good groups will always take the dog back. Ask for a dog that has LIVED in a foster home with cats. If it makes you feel more comfortable, have them come to your home with the greyhound and explain all the behavior issues. Have them show you how to handle your new greyhound. My greyhound is fine with my cat. I’m sure there are many more homes the same way. And maybe your cats will never be great friends of the new dog. Mine isn’t either, but still she meows to let me know when they are waiting at the door to come in. I urge you to give it a try. So many greyhounds need homes. They are just wonderful dogs. I’ve never met a greyhound owner who hasn’t said there is something special about them. That includes people who have owned and loved other breeds. Reba Adopt a Greyhound!
Response:
>>Short end of the
story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. << There is a huge difference between the cat one lives with and unknown cats that come into a dog’s yard or that the dog comes across while wandering the neighborhood. My dog loves cats — especially kittens — and treats them as if they are the fruit of his loins. He cleans their little faces and wags his tail so they have something to pounce on. When I took in a 5 week old foster kitten she nursed on him and HE was the one that got upset when I tried to stop her. Two weeks later, when she went to her new home, I on the phone with the vet "yes, I know he’s an old male dog, but he’s been nursing a kitten and his nipples are all red and sore". But… if a stray cat wanders into our yard he is a madman. He’s never caught one and I pray that he never does. Maybe he thinks outside cats are overgrown squirrels? I think cat testing is a good way to judge whether or not a dog should be placed in a home with cats. But, it’s not fool-proof, it’s not a guarantee and it does not mean that the dog has little or no prey drive. No matter how well the dog tests with cats, leaving the two alone and unsupervised before you are confident that they have become friends is a no-no. Deb* I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn’t looking good either.
Response:
We don’t have greyhounds, but do have two sighthounds, a rabbit and rodents. That a sighthound has been tested OK with a house cat does not mean it won’t hunt down and kill a cat running loose outside. Our dogs consider our other pets as a part of our family, yet they do try to hunt down hares and small wild rodents outside. Furthermore, for them, a cat on a leash outside is considered a _pet_ and will be looked at from a respectful distance and with an interest. However, a cat running loose will turn our dogs’ hunting instincts on immediately. We had no trouble introducing our rabbit to our dogs. The only problems started when the rabbit got sexually mature and with his hormones raging, bit our younger dog (who is a large Ibizan Podenco…). Nowadays, things have calmed down and will calm down even more when the rabbit gets neutered soon. Satu In rec.dogs.breeds Nautilus kirjoitti: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and >was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. >She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she >wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the >neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on >something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this >dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could >get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would >jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never >even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the >story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything.
Response:
I don’t believe it is simply a case of "cat friendly" or cat unfriendly". One of my Wolfhounds is a very high prey dog. With cats in the house or grooming shop, she if completely fine. BUT, if a cat runs across the street while we are walking, or ventures into her back yard, it is fair game, and she WILL pursue it. AND, after having caught many critters (but never a cat), she doesn’t "rip them to shreds", but shakes them once or twice to kill them, then lays down to admire her work. This is my experience….but I’ve seen plenty of sighthounds tear the lure to bits when coursing. Toni www.irish-wolfhounds.com
Response:
: looked at from a respectful distance and with an interest. However, a : cat running loose will turn our dogs’ hunting instincts on : immediately. My own experience is not with a greyhound type dog but a Retriever. I don’t think he would have killed cats but he liked barking at them and chasing them. We have three cats (outdoor/indoor). He always left them alone out or inside (and no leash) but any other cat was fair game to chase etc. In fact he was a very good guard dog of our cat’s territory. One thing my parents missed when he died was that he kept this stray cat away from our house mostly (and away from our cats so there wasn’t as much stress on them). Anyways, on a side note we did find a home for the stray who I think was a Maine Coon and was a very friendly cat. Tigress — These opinions are mine, not those of Georgia Tech. It is the opinion of Tech that I should be writing a paper on some topic or another. | _,,,—,,_ Tigress /,`.-’`’ -. ;-;;,_ http://havoc.gtf.gatech.edu/tigress ’—”(_/–’ `-’_) Cat drawn by Felix Lee
Response:
In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* > all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual.
Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. — Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
Response:
Good one, Elizabeth. Lois E. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >>2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* >> all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual. >Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or >clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the >tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide >the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" >Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this >nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound >buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I >suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. >– >Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted >CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
Response:
Clever. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Good one, Elizabeth. >Lois E. >In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >>>2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* >>> all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual. >Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or >clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the >tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide >the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" >Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this >nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound >buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I >suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. >– >Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted >CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
Response:
Clever! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >>2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* >> all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual. >Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or >clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the >tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide >the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" >Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this >nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound >buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I >suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. >– >Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted >CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
Response:
Hello, My wife and i adopted a greyhound Januaury of 98 from the racetrack in Sarasota, Florida. We were there in vacation from PA. and she made the ride home with us in the car. We also have three cats and they all love each other. They lay next to each other on the couch and if anyone picks on the other one it is the cats teasing the dog. I would just be cautious to there first introduction to each other. If the greyhound is coming from an adoption group they should test the greyhound with cats and be able to let you know. We did’nt have that information due to us getting her right off the track. Thanks, Joe
Response:
Clever! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >>2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* >> all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual. >Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or >clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the >tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide >the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" >Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this >nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound >buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I >suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. >– >Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted >CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
Response:
Clever. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Good one, Elizabeth. >Lois E. >In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >>>2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* >>> all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual. >Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or >clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the >tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide >the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" >Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this >nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound >buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I >suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. >– >Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted >CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
Response:
Good one, Elizabeth. Lois E. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >>2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* >> all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual. >Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or >clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the >tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide >the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" >Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this >nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound >buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I >suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. >– >Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted >CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
Response:
: looked at from a respectful distance and with an interest. However, a : cat running loose will turn our dogs’ hunting instincts on : immediately. My own experience is not with a greyhound type dog but a Retriever. I don’t think he would have killed cats but he liked barking at them and chasing them. We have three cats (outdoor/indoor). He always left them alone out or inside (and no leash) but any other cat was fair game to chase etc. In fact he was a very good guard dog of our cat’s territory. One thing my parents missed when he died was that he kept this stray cat away from our house mostly (and away from our cats so there wasn’t as much stress on them). Anyways, on a side note we did find a home for the stray who I think was a Maine Coon and was a very friendly cat. Tigress — These opinions are mine, not those of Georgia Tech. It is the opinion of Tech that I should be writing a paper on some topic or another. | _,,,—,,_ Tigress /,`.-’`’ -. ;-;;,_ http://havoc.gtf.gatech.edu/tigress ’—”(_/–’ `-’_) Cat drawn by Felix Lee
Response:
In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* > all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual.
Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. — Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
Response:
>The important thing is to understand what >such tests can and cannot tell you. They mean >the dog will behave with the cat when it is >supervised. It demonstrates that the dog has a >level of control. That is important.
I don’t believe it is simply a case of "cat friendly" or cat unfriendly". One of my Wolfhounds is a very high prey dog. With cats in the house or grooming shop, she if completely fine. BUT, if a cat runs across the street while we are walking, or ventures into her back yard, it is fair game, and she WILL pursue it. AND, after having caught many critters (but never a cat), she doesn’t "rip them to shreds", but shakes them once or twice to kill them, then lays down to admire her work. This is my experience….but I’ve seen plenty of sighthounds tear the lure to bits when coursing. Toni www.irish-wolfhounds.com
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We don’t have greyhounds, but do have two sighthounds, a rabbit and rodents. That a sighthound has been tested OK with a house cat does not mean it won’t hunt down and kill a cat running loose outside. Our dogs consider our other pets as a part of our family, yet they do try to hunt down hares and small wild rodents outside. Furthermore, for them, a cat on a leash outside is considered a _pet_ and will be looked at from a respectful distance and with an interest. However, a cat running loose will turn our dogs’ hunting instincts on immediately. We had no trouble introducing our rabbit to our dogs. The only problems started when the rabbit got sexually mature and with his hormones raging, bit our younger dog (who is a large Ibizan Podenco…). Nowadays, things have calmed down and will calm down even more when the rabbit gets neutered soon. Satu In rec.dogs.breeds Nautilus kirjoitti: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and >was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. >She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she >wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the >neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on >something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this >dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could >get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would >jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never >even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the >story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything.
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Don’t get scared by all these stories. Respect what they say. Use a little common sense, and a little supervision. Work through an adoption group. Good groups will always take the dog back. Ask for a dog that has LIVED in a foster home with cats. If it makes you feel more comfortable, have them come to your home with the greyhound and explain all the behavior issues. Have them show you how to handle your new greyhound. My greyhound is fine with my cat. I’m sure there are many more homes the same way. And maybe your cats will never be great friends of the new dog. Mine isn’t either, but still she meows to let me know when they are waiting at the door to come in. I urge you to give it a try. So many greyhounds need homes. They are just wonderful dogs. I’ve never met a greyhound owner who hasn’t said there is something special about them. That includes people who have owned and loved other breeds. Reba Adopt a Greyhound!
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: I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and : was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. : She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she : wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the : neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on : something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this : dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could : get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would : jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never : even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the : story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. Sure they do. The important thing is to understand what such tests can and cannot tell you. They mean the dog will behave with the cat when it is supervised. It demonstrates that the dog has a level of control. That is important. I’ve never decided whether dogs consider the household cat to be the property of the alpha, or some manner of pack member. I suppose it differs from dog to dog. In any case it is not at all unusual to find a dog that is fine with the family cat but a willing killer of outsider cats. Also, simply because a dog treats the cat OK when the humans are present does not mean the cat is safe when the humans are not present. I have five cats and two dogs. One of the two dogs will try to stop any stray cat he finds in the yard. Although he has not yet injured one, I don’t rely on that to believe the cats are safe. I presume that if I do not interfere quickly he will injure and probably kill one. The indoor cats he treats quite differently. Nevertheless I pay attention to the effects of prey drive. Two of the cats never get chased or bothered because they have learned not to run. I don’t worry about leaving them to have free run of the house. Two of the cats like the dogs but will play wrestling games with the dogs. Unsupervised that can stimulate prey drive. I do not leave those two loose when I am not at home. Diane Blackman – – – – – – "the real danger posed by the domestic dog is that its friendship threatens to dissolve or undermine the physchologial barrier that distinguished human from animal." (Elmendorf & Kroeber (1960)) as cited in "The Domestic Dog" ch 16, James Serpell
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and >was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. >She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she >wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the >neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on >something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this >dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could >get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would >jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never >even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the >story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. >1) You adopted a racing greyound out of the local SPCS? That’s unusual. >2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* > all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual.
One might even say almost unheard of. >3) You left her outside at night? Shame on you. >Something about this whole story sounds odd to me.
You’re not alone. Sally Hennessey
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >>: adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >>: organization. <snip> >>Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised >>with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice >>dog. <snip> >>I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly >>good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" >>dog before it can be a bit overwhelming. >The point is that with many, many Greyhounds, you don’t have to "make >it work". <snip> >Sally Hennessey >And the point is that if the dog feels like it, especially a very >capable dog such as a greyhound, the dog can tear the cat to pieces >before you can get out of your chair.
Yes, that’s why we evaluate their temperaments and test them first before placing them in homes with cats. They don’t hide their prey drive, so if they have a desire to tear a cat to pieces, we are going to see that. Sally Hennessey
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>>: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >: adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >: organization. <snip> >Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised >with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice >dog. <snip> >I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly >good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" >dog before it can be a bit overwhelming. >The point is that with many, many Greyhounds, you don’t have to "make >it work". <snip> >Sally Hennessey
And the point is that if the dog feels like it, especially a very capable dog such as a greyhound, the dog can tear the cat to pieces before you can get out of your chair. There is a similar discussion that goes on in birds groups about cats and birds, such as parrots. LShaping.
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>I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and >was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. >She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she >wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the >neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on >something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this >dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could >get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would >jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never >even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the >story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything.
Responsible Greyhound adoption groups do more than "little tests at the spca with a cat near". Responsible groups will tell potential adopters that if they let their cats outside, all bets of safety are off, as most Greyhounds (and other dogs) will chase and kill animals (including cats) in the yard even when they do not chase cats in the house. There is nothing sneaky about a dog killing small animals; it’s their nature. By the way, killing cats and other small animals is not unique to Greyhounds. Many dog breeds have a high prey drive. My female Siberian licks our house cats but has killed (and partially eaten) two strays that ventured into our fenced yard. Of course, none of the Greyhound adoption groups or other rescue groups with which I am familiar would adopt a dog to someone who would leave it outside at night or when they were gone at work. Sally Hennessey
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >: adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >: organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >: strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >: retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >: We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >: the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another. >Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised >with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice >dog. If there are behaviors that need to be worked through, that makes it >even harder. I’ve had cats that never adjusted to the dogs. I’ve had >cats that took a long time, but eventually came around. I’ve had cats that >adored dogs. >Motivating the cats to be comfortable around the dogs is one >piece. The other is, of course, deciding whether the dog is safe around >cats. Any half-way competent Greyhound rescue is not going to adopt a dog >that has not been "cat tested" to a family with cats already in residence. >Even with a "cat tested" dog, how well it works out will depend at least >in part with how skilled you are in handling dogs. >I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly >good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" >dog before it can be a bit overwhelming.
The point is that with many, many Greyhounds, you don’t have to "make it work". I have seen many of these dogs, one of my present dogs included, that have absolutely no interest whatsoever in my cats. Adopting a Greyhound to families with cats is not an experiment, and how well Greyhounds get along with cats does not depend on how skilled the adopter is in handling dogs. Since a high percentage of Greyhound adopters are not experienced dog owners, we must rely on our own expertise to make sure no cats are injured or killed. Responsible Greyhound adoption groups will not place a dog with cats if that dog shows any interest beyond a curious sniff. The dog still goes home with a turn-out muzzle and the adopter is instructed to put the muzzle on the dog when it is loose in the house with the cats until they feel comfortable in taking it off. If the dog shows untoward interest in the adopter’s cat, even if that dog showed no reaction to the "test" cats, the dog is exchanged for another dog. Thousands of ex-racing Greyhounds – - many of them successful racers – - live in harmony with cats. Getting cats that have not lived with dogs to feel comfortable with the dogs is another story altogether, however. Some never do. Sally Hennessey
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>>Something about this whole story sounds odd to me. >You’re not alone.
Not to mention the bit about tornup and dead cats up a *tree*? Maybe just possibly *one* cat could be fatally injured and climb up a tree anyway and not fall out when they died (though it’s a bit of a stretch) but cats, plural? Laura X-Review: http://traveller.simplenet.com/xfiles/episode.htm "Good design is clear thinking made visible." — Edward Tufte
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I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi, everybody… >Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
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: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering : adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound : organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a : strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a : retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. : We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath : the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another. Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice dog. If there are behaviors that need to be worked through, that makes it even harder. I’ve had cats that never adjusted to the dogs. I’ve had cats that took a long time, but eventually came around. I’ve had cats that adored dogs. Motivating the cats to be comfortable around the dogs is one piece. The other is, of course, deciding whether the dog is safe around cats. Any half-way competent Greyhound rescue is not going to adopt a dog that has not been "cat tested" to a family with cats already in residence. Even with a "cat tested" dog, how well it works out will depend at least in part with how skilled you are in handling dogs. I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" dog before it can be a bit overwhelming. Diane Blackman – – – – – – – – "What all trainers need to understand, regardless of allegiance, is that it is not the application of punishment or reward, but the incorrect application of punishment or reinforcement that leads to unhappy dogs and frustrated trainers." "Smart Trainers — Brilliant Dogs" by Janet Lewis
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>Hi, everybody… >Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
Greyhounds and cats can live very peaceably together. I own 3 Greyhounds and have 5 – 7 foster Greyhounds in my home at any given time. Make sure that if you decide to adopt a Greyhound, you get one from a group that "cat tests" each and every dog in their program. Every responsible Greyhound adoption group does this. Sally Hennessey
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A lot of dogs don’t get along with cats. Your agency that you go through, if they are responsible people, will cat test any greyhound that they get to see if he gets along with them. You’ll get one that does get along with cats just fine. Mine doesn’t, but cats give me allergies so I wouldn’t consider owning one anyways. Not a problem. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi, everybody… >Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
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Hi, everybody… Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
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Hi, before I moved to FL I considered getting a retired grehound when I got down here. After talking to a rescue group in a store I decided not to, as greyhounds have very thin skin and I was worried that the 6 cats would make mince meat of the dog! I ended up with a rescued from the middle of the road hound. For a solid week this dog was not off the leash in the house as he had a strong chase instinct, and I wasn’t entirely sure that if he caught a cat he wouldn’t try to eat it. He’s a very sensitive fellow and after a couple of months all is well as I impressed upon him that chasing the cats is not allowed. When he thinks I’m not looking he’ll try to harass a cat occasionally, but they’re not really scared of him any more as they’ve learned how to deal with him. It helped that two of my older cats have successfully lived with dogs before and knew that standing your ground was the right thing to do. I also crated him at night when he first got here so I could get some sleep and not worry about the cats. Have your cats ever lived with dogs before? Have you talked to any rescue group about this? I really think it depends on the individual dog. Do you know of anyone with cats and dogs in the same household where you can take a candidate? While a dog may show an instinct to chase, that doesn’t always mean they’re interested in killing. Good luck buglady take out the dog before replying |Hi, everybody… | |Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering |adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound |organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a |strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a |retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. | |We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath |the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
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Hello, My wife and i adopted a greyhound Januaury of 98 from the racetrack in Sarasota, Florida. We were there in vacation from PA. and she made the ride home with us in the car. We also have three cats and they all love each other. They lay next to each other on the couch and if anyone picks on the other one it is the cats teasing the dog. I would just be cautious to there first introduction to each other. If the greyhound is coming from an adoption group they should test the greyhound with cats and be able to let you know. We did’nt have that information due to us getting her right off the track. Thanks, Joe
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Clever! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >>2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* >> all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual. >Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or >clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the >tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide >the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" >Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this >nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound >buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I >suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. >– >Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted >CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
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Clever. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Good one, Elizabeth. >Lois E. >In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >>>2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* >>> all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual. >Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or >clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the >tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide >the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" >Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this >nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound >buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I >suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. >– >Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted >CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
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Good one, Elizabeth. Lois E. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >>2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* >> all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual. >Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or >clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the >tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide >the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" >Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this >nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound >buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I >suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. >– >Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted >CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
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: looked at from a respectful distance and with an interest. However, a : cat running loose will turn our dogs’ hunting instincts on : immediately. My own experience is not with a greyhound type dog but a Retriever. I don’t think he would have killed cats but he liked barking at them and chasing them. We have three cats (outdoor/indoor). He always left them alone out or inside (and no leash) but any other cat was fair game to chase etc. In fact he was a very good guard dog of our cat’s territory. One thing my parents missed when he died was that he kept this stray cat away from our house mostly (and away from our cats so there wasn’t as much stress on them). Anyways, on a side note we did find a home for the stray who I think was a Maine Coon and was a very friendly cat. Tigress — These opinions are mine, not those of Georgia Tech. It is the opinion of Tech that I should be writing a paper on some topic or another. | _,,,—,,_ Tigress /,`.-’`’ -. ;-;;,_ http://havoc.gtf.gatech.edu/tigress ’—”(_/–’ `-’_) Cat drawn by Felix Lee
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In response to the Killer Tree-Climbing Serial Killer Greyhound post, >2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* > all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual.
Not only that, but the hound was either agile enough to climb trees or clever enough to THROW the evidence — multiple evidence — up into the tree branches. "Aha," said the Greyhound of the Baskervilles, "I’ll hide the bodies in this tree and they will all think the leopard did it!" Doubtless those unsolved slasher killings were really the work of this nocturnal hunter, as well (I suggest that he stowed away on Greyhound buses to reach many locations and confuse his trail). In other words, I suspect the elasticity of my lower extremities is being tested…. — Elizabeth B. Naime * Email may be forwarded and/or posted CUR 70 / FUR 212 * * Standard Disclaimers Apply*
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>The important thing is to understand what >such tests can and cannot tell you. They mean >the dog will behave with the cat when it is >supervised. It demonstrates that the dog has a >level of control. That is important.
I don’t believe it is simply a case of "cat friendly" or cat unfriendly". One of my Wolfhounds is a very high prey dog. With cats in the house or grooming shop, she if completely fine. BUT, if a cat runs across the street while we are walking, or ventures into her back yard, it is fair game, and she WILL pursue it. AND, after having caught many critters (but never a cat), she doesn’t "rip them to shreds", but shakes them once or twice to kill them, then lays down to admire her work. This is my experience….but I’ve seen plenty of sighthounds tear the lure to bits when coursing. Toni www.irish-wolfhounds.com
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We don’t have greyhounds, but do have two sighthounds, a rabbit and rodents. That a sighthound has been tested OK with a house cat does not mean it won’t hunt down and kill a cat running loose outside. Our dogs consider our other pets as a part of our family, yet they do try to hunt down hares and small wild rodents outside. Furthermore, for them, a cat on a leash outside is considered a _pet_ and will be looked at from a respectful distance and with an interest. However, a cat running loose will turn our dogs’ hunting instincts on immediately. We had no trouble introducing our rabbit to our dogs. The only problems started when the rabbit got sexually mature and with his hormones raging, bit our younger dog (who is a large Ibizan Podenco…). Nowadays, things have calmed down and will calm down even more when the rabbit gets neutered soon. Satu In rec.dogs.breeds Nautilus kirjoitti: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and >was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. >She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she >wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the >neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on >something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this >dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could >get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would >jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never >even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the >story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything.
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Don’t get scared by all these stories. Respect what they say. Use a little common sense, and a little supervision. Work through an adoption group. Good groups will always take the dog back. Ask for a dog that has LIVED in a foster home with cats. If it makes you feel more comfortable, have them come to your home with the greyhound and explain all the behavior issues. Have them show you how to handle your new greyhound. My greyhound is fine with my cat. I’m sure there are many more homes the same way. And maybe your cats will never be great friends of the new dog. Mine isn’t either, but still she meows to let me know when they are waiting at the door to come in. I urge you to give it a try. So many greyhounds need homes. They are just wonderful dogs. I’ve never met a greyhound owner who hasn’t said there is something special about them. That includes people who have owned and loved other breeds. Reba Adopt a Greyhound!
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: I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and : was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. : She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she : wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the : neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on : something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this : dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could : get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would : jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never : even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the : story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. Sure they do. The important thing is to understand what such tests can and cannot tell you. They mean the dog will behave with the cat when it is supervised. It demonstrates that the dog has a level of control. That is important. I’ve never decided whether dogs consider the household cat to be the property of the alpha, or some manner of pack member. I suppose it differs from dog to dog. In any case it is not at all unusual to find a dog that is fine with the family cat but a willing killer of outsider cats. Also, simply because a dog treats the cat OK when the humans are present does not mean the cat is safe when the humans are not present. I have five cats and two dogs. One of the two dogs will try to stop any stray cat he finds in the yard. Although he has not yet injured one, I don’t rely on that to believe the cats are safe. I presume that if I do not interfere quickly he will injure and probably kill one. The indoor cats he treats quite differently. Nevertheless I pay attention to the effects of prey drive. Two of the cats never get chased or bothered because they have learned not to run. I don’t worry about leaving them to have free run of the house. Two of the cats like the dogs but will play wrestling games with the dogs. Unsupervised that can stimulate prey drive. I do not leave those two loose when I am not at home. Diane Blackman – – – – – – "the real danger posed by the domestic dog is that its friendship threatens to dissolve or undermine the physchologial barrier that distinguished human from animal." (Elmendorf & Kroeber (1960)) as cited in "The Domestic Dog" ch 16, James Serpell
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and >was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. >She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she >wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the >neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on >something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this >dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could >get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would >jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never >even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the >story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. >1) You adopted a racing greyound out of the local SPCS? That’s unusual. >2) You had a greyhound that would jump the fence *and then return later* > all the time? That’s *extremely* unusual.
One might even say almost unheard of. >3) You left her outside at night? Shame on you. >Something about this whole story sounds odd to me.
You’re not alone. Sally Hennessey
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >>: adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >>: organization. <snip> >>Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised >>with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice >>dog. <snip> >>I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly >>good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" >>dog before it can be a bit overwhelming. >The point is that with many, many Greyhounds, you don’t have to "make >it work". <snip> >Sally Hennessey >And the point is that if the dog feels like it, especially a very >capable dog such as a greyhound, the dog can tear the cat to pieces >before you can get out of your chair.
Yes, that’s why we evaluate their temperaments and test them first before placing them in homes with cats. They don’t hide their prey drive, so if they have a desire to tear a cat to pieces, we are going to see that. Sally Hennessey
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>>: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >: adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >: organization. <snip> >Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised >with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice >dog. <snip> >I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly >good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" >dog before it can be a bit overwhelming. >The point is that with many, many Greyhounds, you don’t have to "make >it work". <snip> >Sally Hennessey
And the point is that if the dog feels like it, especially a very capable dog such as a greyhound, the dog can tear the cat to pieces before you can get out of your chair. There is a similar discussion that goes on in birds groups about cats and birds, such as parrots. LShaping.
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>I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and >was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. >She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she >wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the >neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on >something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this >dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could >get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would >jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never >even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the >story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything.
Responsible Greyhound adoption groups do more than "little tests at the spca with a cat near". Responsible groups will tell potential adopters that if they let their cats outside, all bets of safety are off, as most Greyhounds (and other dogs) will chase and kill animals (including cats) in the yard even when they do not chase cats in the house. There is nothing sneaky about a dog killing small animals; it’s their nature. By the way, killing cats and other small animals is not unique to Greyhounds. Many dog breeds have a high prey drive. My female Siberian licks our house cats but has killed (and partially eaten) two strays that ventured into our fenced yard. Of course, none of the Greyhound adoption groups or other rescue groups with which I am familiar would adopt a dog to someone who would leave it outside at night or when they were gone at work. Sally Hennessey
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >: adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >: organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >: strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >: retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >: We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >: the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another. >Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised >with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice >dog. If there are behaviors that need to be worked through, that makes it >even harder. I’ve had cats that never adjusted to the dogs. I’ve had >cats that took a long time, but eventually came around. I’ve had cats that >adored dogs. >Motivating the cats to be comfortable around the dogs is one >piece. The other is, of course, deciding whether the dog is safe around >cats. Any half-way competent Greyhound rescue is not going to adopt a dog >that has not been "cat tested" to a family with cats already in residence. >Even with a "cat tested" dog, how well it works out will depend at least >in part with how skilled you are in handling dogs. >I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly >good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" >dog before it can be a bit overwhelming.
The point is that with many, many Greyhounds, you don’t have to "make it work". I have seen many of these dogs, one of my present dogs included, that have absolutely no interest whatsoever in my cats. Adopting a Greyhound to families with cats is not an experiment, and how well Greyhounds get along with cats does not depend on how skilled the adopter is in handling dogs. Since a high percentage of Greyhound adopters are not experienced dog owners, we must rely on our own expertise to make sure no cats are injured or killed. Responsible Greyhound adoption groups will not place a dog with cats if that dog shows any interest beyond a curious sniff. The dog still goes home with a turn-out muzzle and the adopter is instructed to put the muzzle on the dog when it is loose in the house with the cats until they feel comfortable in taking it off. If the dog shows untoward interest in the adopter’s cat, even if that dog showed no reaction to the "test" cats, the dog is exchanged for another dog. Thousands of ex-racing Greyhounds – - many of them successful racers – - live in harmony with cats. Getting cats that have not lived with dogs to feel comfortable with the dogs is another story altogether, however. Some never do. Sally Hennessey
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>>Something about this whole story sounds odd to me. >You’re not alone.
Not to mention the bit about tornup and dead cats up a *tree*? Maybe just possibly *one* cat could be fatally injured and climb up a tree anyway and not fall out when they died (though it’s a bit of a stretch) but cats, plural? Laura X-Review: http://traveller.simplenet.com/xfiles/episode.htm "Good design is clear thinking made visible." — Edward Tufte
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I tried to adopt one once and she was even "tested" with a cat present and was ok. She was very sweet and when we were around, nothing ever happened. She was in a fenced yard and I felt ok about leaving her out there if she wanted to be out at night and when I was at work. We later found the neighbor’s cats torn up and dead up a tree and of course blamed it on something else. I won’t go into other details, but we found out that this dog was very smart and also very sneaky and was killing anything she could get to. She would wait for our lights to go out at night and then she would jump the fence and go after anything she could get her teeth on. We never even suspected that she was getting out of the yard. Short end of the story….little tests at the spca with a cat near don’t mean anything. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi, everybody… >Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
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: Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering : adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound : organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a : strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a : retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. : We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath : the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another. Personally? I probably would not do it. Cats that have not been raised with dogs differ a lot in their ability to adjust to even a safe and nice dog. If there are behaviors that need to be worked through, that makes it even harder. I’ve had cats that never adjusted to the dogs. I’ve had cats that took a long time, but eventually came around. I’ve had cats that adored dogs. Motivating the cats to be comfortable around the dogs is one piece. The other is, of course, deciding whether the dog is safe around cats. Any half-way competent Greyhound rescue is not going to adopt a dog that has not been "cat tested" to a family with cats already in residence. Even with a "cat tested" dog, how well it works out will depend at least in part with how skilled you are in handling dogs. I know that some people make it work. I don’t think it is a particularly good experiment to make. If you have never dealt with a "high prey drive" dog before it can be a bit overwhelming. Diane Blackman – – – – – – – – "What all trainers need to understand, regardless of allegiance, is that it is not the application of punishment or reward, but the incorrect application of punishment or reinforcement that leads to unhappy dogs and frustrated trainers." "Smart Trainers — Brilliant Dogs" by Janet Lewis
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>Hi, everybody… >Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
Greyhounds and cats can live very peaceably together. I own 3 Greyhounds and have 5 – 7 foster Greyhounds in my home at any given time. Make sure that if you decide to adopt a Greyhound, you get one from a group that "cat tests" each and every dog in their program. Every responsible Greyhound adoption group does this. Sally Hennessey
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A lot of dogs don’t get along with cats. Your agency that you go through, if they are responsible people, will cat test any greyhound that they get to see if he gets along with them. You’ll get one that does get along with cats just fine. Mine doesn’t, but cats give me allergies so I wouldn’t consider owning one anyways. Not a problem. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi, everybody… >Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering >adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound >organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a >strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a >retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. >We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath >the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
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Hi, everybody… Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
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Hi, before I moved to FL I considered getting a retired grehound when I got down here. After talking to a rescue group in a store I decided not to, as greyhounds have very thin skin and I was worried that the 6 cats would make mince meat of the dog! I ended up with a rescued from the middle of the road hound. For a solid week this dog was not off the leash in the house as he had a strong chase instinct, and I wasn’t entirely sure that if he caught a cat he wouldn’t try to eat it. He’s a very sensitive fellow and after a couple of months all is well as I impressed upon him that chasing the cats is not allowed. When he thinks I’m not looking he’ll try to harass a cat occasionally, but they’re not really scared of him any more as they’ve learned how to deal with him. It helped that two of my older cats have successfully lived with dogs before and knew that standing your ground was the right thing to do. I also crated him at night when he first got here so I could get some sleep and not worry about the cats. Have your cats ever lived with dogs before? Have you talked to any rescue group about this? I really think it depends on the individual dog. Do you know of anyone with cats and dogs in the same household where you can take a candidate? While a dog may show an instinct to chase, that doesn’t always mean they’re interested in killing. Good luck buglady take out the dog before replying |Hi, everybody… | |Our family has two cats between the ages of 5 and 6. We are considering |adopting a retired racing greyhound from the adopt-a-greyhound |organization. However, we are learning that since greyhounds have a |strong prey instinct which motivates them on the racetrack, bringing a |retired racer into our house may not be a very good for our cats. | |We were wondering if anybody has greyhounds and cats living underneath |the same roof, and how the dogs and cats got along w/ one another.
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